Does commenting on this outfit make you sexist? What if you’re the PM?

So here’s what happened. 3AW journalist Latika Bourke asked Kevin Rudd a question in a press conference yesterday, he tried to change the subject by complimenting her on her outfit and now everyone is freaking out.
I spoke about it with Karl this morning on Today.

What I didn’t get to say (because I got side-tracked by my own wander down memory lane with Lisa) is that I don’t think this was a sexist remark. I think it was a remark made by someone desperate not to answer a question. Latika Bourke is a well known and well respected Canberra journalist and I think she looked terrific. One of the benefits of being female is getting to have a bit of fun with clothes. I know this because Karl asks to see my shoes most weeks in our What’s Making News segment.

Is that sexist? I don’t think so. Does he ask the men in that same segment about their shoes or their ties? No. Because they’re boring.

In no way does discussing my shoes detract from my point of view or what comes out of my mouth. I’m completely comfortable with the fact that women wear more interesting clothes and shoes than men and sometimes they are worthy of comment.

I know how to dress invisibly. I did it when I worked as a TV executive and it made me miserable.

What do you think? Was Kevin Rudd sexist in commenting about Latika’s outfit?